EUROPEAN COMMISSIONBrussels, 05.11.2010
C(2010) 7512
COMMISSION DECISION
of 05.11.2010
on the Annual Action Programme 2010 in favour of Belarus to be financed under Article 19 08 01 03 of the general budget of the European Union
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 2006 laying down general provisions establishing a European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI)1, and in particular Article 12 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) The Commission has adopted the ENPI Strategy Paper 2007-2013 for Belarus and the Multiannual National Indicative Programme for the period 2007-20102, which provides for the following priorities: social and economic development (of which energy is a specific target sector) and democratic development and good governance (of which capacity building of national coordinating structures for assistance is envisaged).
(2) The objectives pursued by the Annual Action Programme 2010 are to support energy saving in Belarus by promoting norms and standards related to energy efficiency of
consumer goods and industrial products, and to enhance the capacity of selected Belarusian institutions to coordinate the design and implementation of the ENPI Annual
Action Programmes and to develop an effective national system for the coordination of Technical Assistance, including the set-up of a PAO that among other tasks could assist in the preparatory work for the establishment of possible future Twinning arrangements in Belarus.
(3) The present decision constitutes a financing decision within the meaning of Article 75 of Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 of 25 June 2002 on the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget3 (hereafter 'the Financial Regulation') and Article 90 of Commission Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 of 23 December 2002 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget4 (hereafter 'the Implementing Rules').
(4) The maximum contribution of the European Union set by the present decision should cover any possible claims for interest due for late payment on the basis of Articles 83 of the Financial Regulation and 106(5) of its Implementing Rules.
(5) The Commission is required to define the term “substantial change” in the meaning of Article 90 (4) of the Implementing Rules to ensure that any substantial change in this decision shall follow the same procedure as the initial decision.
(6) The measures provided for in this decision are in accordance with the opinion of the ENPI Committee set up under Article 26 of Regulation (EC) No 1638/2006,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
The Annual Action Programme 2010 in favour of Belarus, constituted by the actions "Support to Belarus in the Field of Norms and Standards Related to Energy Efficiency of Consumer Goods and Industrial Products" and "Capacity Development Facility to support the design and implementation of sector programmes under the ENPI Annual Action Programmes, and support effective management and coordination of EU assistance in Belarus", the text of which is set out in the attached Annexes, is approved.
Article 2
The maximum contribution of the European Union to the Annual Action Programme is set at EUR 10 million to be financed from budget line 19 08 01 03 of the general budget of the European Union for 2010. This maximum contribution shall also cover any possible interests due for late payment.
Article 3
Cumulated changes of the allocations to the specific actions not exceeding 20% of the maximum contribution of the European Union shall not be considered substantial, provided that they do not significantly affect the nature and objectives of the Annual Action Programme. This may include an increase of the maximum contribution of the European Union up to 20%. The relevant authorising officer may amend the present Decision to introduce non substantial changes to the Annual Action Programme in accordance with the principles of sound financial management.
Done at Brussels, 05.11.2010
For the Commission
Commissioner Štefan Füle
Member of the Commission